The penalties are likely to be modest, but the warning comes as Asia–Europe spot rates are rising again, with carriers pushing through higher freight-all-kinds rates and capacity cuts tightening vessel space.
China’s Ministry of Transport said the penalties followed inspections carried out at the ports of Guangzhou, Qingdao and Ningbo in August, September and November 2025. According to the ministry, the checks found cases where companies had either failed to file rates as required or had not applied the rates they had submitted.
The shipping lines named in reports include MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, Evergreen Marine, Wan Hai Lines, SM Line, Emirates Shipping Line and TS Lines. Seven non-vessel operating common carriers, or NVOCCs, were also penalised. These included local branches or subsidiaries of freight forwarding and logistics companies operating in China.
China requires international container lines and NVOCCs to file container freight rates for export services from Chinese ports. The system covers base ocean freight and related surcharges, and is intended to allow authorities to check whether actual market charges match the prices filed by operators.
The Ministry of Transport said it would continue to strengthen supervision of international container freight-rate filings and urged carriers and NVOCCs to improve their internal systems.
The ministry did not disclose the individual fine amounts in its public statement. Under China’s International Maritime Transport Regulations, breaches related to freight-rate filing can result in orders to correct the problem and fines of RMB 20,000 to RMB 100,000 (roughly €2,500 to €12,700).
Asia–Europe spot rates rise
The timing is notable because container spot rates on the Asia–Europe trade have started climbing. Drewry’s latest World Container Index rose 12% to $2,553 per 40ft container in the week to 14 May. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam increased 11% to $2,413 per 40ft container, while Shanghai to Genoa rose 20% to $3,701.
Drewry linked the increase on Asia–Europe routes to higher FAK rates, capacity cuts announced by carriers in May, stronger bookings and tighter vessel space. It also said the Asia–Europe peak season may start earlier than usual as shippers bring cargo forward amid wider geopolitical disruption.
